China and South Korea Conduct Joint Maritime Search and Rescue Drill with Ships and Helicopters

(CNA, Taipei, 30th) China and South Korea recently held a joint maritime search and rescue drill in the central Yellow Sea, with both sides deploying ships and helicopters for maneuver exercises for the first time. Dai Bing, the Chinese Ambassador to South Korea, mentioned the operation in a post on X on the 29th. Dai stated that the joint maritime search and rescue drill took place on the 28th in the central Yellow Sea. The exercise was co-hosted by the China Maritime Search and Rescue Center and the Korea Coast Guard, simulating a fire on a fishing vessel of unknown nationality, with both sides completing various training tasks. Dai said this was the first time both countries deployed ships and helicopters for maneuver exercises, which not only improved joint rescue capabilities but also enhanced mutual trust. The Yellow Sea connects the two countries, and their coast guards have rescued each other's personnel at sea many times. He expressed hope that both sides would continue to strengthen maritime cooperation and make the Yellow Sea a sea of safety and friendship. According to Yonhap News Agency, the two sides jointly executed the entire process of maritime search and rescue during the drill, including dispatching search and rescue teams, emergency response, and information sharing, to check the joint response system for marine disasters. Reports state that South Korea and China signed a "Maritime Search and Rescue Cooperation Agreement" in 2007 and have maintained a good relationship in this area. After the leaders of the two countries reached a consensus on strengthening cooperation in marine disaster response during their meeting in January this year, both sides facilitated the joint drill. The purpose of mobilizing search and rescue forces for maneuver exercises this time is to improve emergency response capabilities for accidents such as fishing vessel capsizing and sinking.